Thwartable bottom link for vertical line

Abstract

A thwartable link for a vertical fishing line includes a substantially tubularly shaped body having a first end and a second end and first and second opposed side walls extending between the first and second ends. Each of the side walls has an axially extending elongated slot passing therethrough. A knife blade is located within the interior of the tubular body adjacent the first end but facing the second end. The fishing line extends through the slots in the side walls and through the interior of the tubular body. A stop is attached to the line adjacent the first side of the tubular body preventing the line from being pulled through the elongated slot in the first side. A tether extends between the second end of the tubular body and the line. The tether is connected to the line on the same side as the stop means but is spaced therefrom. An elastic O-ring surrounding the tubular body temporarily retains the line adjacent the second end of the tubular member. Applying a tensioning force on the line on the second side of the body causes the line to slide axially in the slots toward the knife blade to be severed by the knife blade. A time release device in the tether disconnects the tether from the tubular member after a pre-selected period of time.

1. A thwartable link for a vertical fishing line comprising:
 a substantially tubularly shaped body having a first end and a second end and first and second opposed side walls extending between said first and second ends; 
 each of said side walls having an axially extending elongated slot passing therethrough; 
 a knife blade within an interior of said tubularly shaped body, said knife blade being located adjacent said first end but facing said second end; 
 said fishing line extending through said slots in said side walls and through the interior of said tubularly shaped body; 
 stop means attached to said line adjacent said first side wall of said tubularly shaped body preventing said line from being pulled through said elongated slot in said first side wall; 
 a tether extending between said second end of said tubular body and said line, said tether being connected to said line on a same side of said body as said stop means but spaced therefrom; 
 means for temporarily retaining said line adjacent said second end of said tubularly shaped body; 
 whereby applying a tensioning force on said line on a same side of said body as said second side wall of said body causes said line to slide axially in said slots toward said knife blade to be severed by said knife blade. 
 
     
     
       2. The thwartable link for a vertical fishing line of  claim 1  wherein said means for temporarily retaining said line is comprised of an elastic member surrounding said tubular member. 
     
     
       3. The thwartable link for a vertical fishing line of  claim 1  wherein a length of said tether is less than a length of said line from said stop member to the connection of said tether to said line. 
     
     
       4. The thwartable link for a vertical fishing line of  claim 1  further including a time release means in said tether that disconnects said tether from said tubular member after a pre-selected period of time. 
     
     
       5. The thwartable link for a vertical fishing line of  claim 1  including a second tether connected between said first end of said tubular member and said line.